Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been impressive away from home but far more vulnerable at Nationwide Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to take advantage of that weakness.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been excellent on the road with four wins from five matches, but at home they have managed just one victory in four. Their poor home record is partly explained by a difficult schedule, as they faced some of the league's best teams, including the current NHL leader, the New Jersey Devils (2:3), and the second-placed Colorado Avalanche from the West (1:4).
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are only eighth in the Eastern Conference, but the gap to the 11th-placed Columbus Blue Jackets is just one point, and the Leafs have a game in hand. They show an opposite pattern – the team are first in the East for home results (11 points) yet winless away with two defeats. Those losses came against teams that missed last season’s play-offs: the Detroit Red Wings (3:6) and the Buffalo Sabres (3:5).
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction
Despite their poor home form, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a real chance here against a Toronto Maple Leafs side that continues to struggle on the road. It’s worth noting that in their last two meetings in Ohio, the Blue Jackets scored six goals each time and won both games (6:2 and 6:5 OT).
